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Hiya Guys & Gals

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Hi everyone,

Just a quick introduction cos I don't wanna bore you all too much!
I've now graduated yet find it tough to break into I.T, my biggest pitfall is my knowledge base is too wide & varied. In a sense, you could almost say I know 'bits and bobs' of everything. I've been doing web-related languages for a few years now such as HTML, ASP, PHP and along with databases like Access & MySQL. I am desperate to get into I.T especially as I've been working in a insurance company for almost a year (and I hated almost every minute!)

I too have had the Skillstrain (Schneidegger) salesman call round trying to persuade me to part with £2500 to take a Cisco CCNA course. He was very persuasive and I almost said yes there and then, however greater research on my part and I've decided to put the course on hold at least for a couple of months.

I haven't got any real commercial experience, and have literally no experience in relation to A+/MCSE/CCNA or other IT certifications and I am slightly worried that this all might be too much for me. My brother works in IT and thinks I have the ability but I don't share his confidence but I am desperate to get into IT and start earning some money.

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Greetings, playaz. Welcome to CF. No worries about the length of your post. Glad you told us something about your situation. IT is sometimes tough to break into but I wouldn't call it impossible. If someone who works in the field thinks you can pull it off, I'd say go for it and see.

You might want to start with an A+ certification. It's pretty much the "entry-level" but also seems to be what alot of employers look for as part of the base qualifications of a technician. Of course, we are not talking about pulling down big bucks right off the bat. As 'm sure you're aware, when you are breaking into any new field, there's a certain amount of "paying of dues" that must occur before you have the experience to progress to larger positions.

You obviously have an interest in programming (which is an area that completely escapes me). Maybe you should pursue filling in the gaps in your knowledge base as a programmer. Just a thought but I'd hate to think that you'd have to put aside your current knowledge base for another part of the field.

In any event, welcome to our corner of cyberspace. I hope we can prove helpful to you in your pursuits.

Greetings playaz .There are plenty of people around these boards who have little or no IT experiance,but decide to take the IT cert route.
With the right attitude,determination and dedication im sure yourself and many others(myself included)can achieve our career goals.
All the best with which ever route you decide to take.

I think the A+ Cert would be a great start, I think this wouldn't be too difficult for me with my existing knowledge. Can anyone suggest the best way to go about this, and preferably cheap too as I don't wanna pay thousands of pounds for A+.

I think the A+ Cert would be a great start, I think this wouldn't be too difficult for me with my existing knowledge. Can anyone suggest the best way to go about this, and preferably cheap too as I don't wanna pay thousands of pounds for A+.

P.S How much would I roughly pay for the exams, and how long on average does it take to pass these?

Thanks

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Hiya (and welcome fellow newbie, btw)

Last time I looked the A+ cost £100 plus VAT per exam (there are two) if you do it through Vue (The last two exams I booked through Prometric they didn't actually charge me VAT so look into them too!) and assuming you don't find any vouchers. When I did my A+ I managed to study for each exam in roughly a month (reading the Myers book and an out of date Exam Cram title) but then I was out of work at the time and put quite a few hours in during the day. I didn't have too much experience with PCs either back then (2002) - had Windows 98 on a P200MMX, installed a DVD+Card combo, CD re-writer and that was about it!

I'd like to add that that exam (and the knowledge I got from it) got me started in my ICT Technician job at a school. It's a definite starting point!

Thanks for the post Keith! Your informative response has given me a greater sense of hope & determination to get certified! IT Technician is another route that I too would like to get into, with an A+ qualification that should open a few doors

Thanks again for the information, I feel much better now - I am currently out of work so I am hoping to get through the book in no time at all. Is there a site that lists all the local A+ test centres in my region (Midlands).

Thanks again for the information, I feel much better now - I am currently out of work so I am hoping to get through the book in no time at all. Is there a site that lists all the local A+ test centres in my region (Midlands).

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If you pop along to the Vue or Prometric sites and register with them you'll be able to browse their lists of test centres in your area. You'll find some use both systems (I travel about 40 miles to Sheffield where they have 3 machines running Vue and 3 running Prometric). A good tip I was given is to book your exams in advance so you've got a goal to aim for! It works for me (and don't forget you can still reschedule the exam if you're not prepared in time!)

I thought that, too. Vue didn't charge me VAT for either of my A+ exams in mid-2002. I took the Network+ at the end of 2003 and I was charged VAT. The same again for my 70-270 in January this year. I swapped over to Prometric for the 290 last month (long story, don't ask) and was surprised when I wasn't quoted VAT on my invoice. Even waited until my credit card bill came until I was convinced!! At the moment I'm sticking with Prometric and using Vue only if the other machines are booked up!

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